Soldotna-based Frontier Community Services will construct a new 13,748 square foot facility in Kenai with loan assistance provided in part by USDA Rural Development.
Acting Rural Development Alaska State Director Chad Padgett announced today that the organization, which provides vocational training and employment opportunities to Alaskans with physical or developmental disabilities, will receive a $2.2 million direct Community Facilities loan and a $500,000 loan from Wells Fargo Bank. That loan is guaranteed by Rural Development.
“USDA Rural Development is a willing partner with communities and organizations seeking to establish or expand needed facilities,” said Padgett. “This new building not only will create construction jobs, it will provide training opportunities and support services to peninsula residents for generations to come. Frontier Community Services is a true friend to seniors, the disabled and individuals needing home health care. Now Rural Development is partnering with Frontier and with a private lender to enable this important organization to provide additional services to those who need them,” Padgett said.
Padgett praised the efforts of Kenai Rural Development Area Manager Michelle Hoffman, her staff and also Community Programs Director Merlaine Kruse in the State Rural Development office in Palmer for working to secure the loan. “Frontier Community Services plays a vital role in providing home health care, vocational training and service to Alaska’s seniors,” said Hoffman. “Those of us living here on the peninsula realize every day the important contribution they make to the residents of our communities.”
Kruse noted that this is the latest in a string of recent community facilities projects supported by Rural Development. An expanded thrift store operated by a consortium of churches recently opened in the Mat-Su Valley and Yakutat is building a new public safety building with USDA Community Facilities loan assistance.
The $5.4 million facility to be constructed by Frontier will accommodate administration, community support, senior and family services, and the short term assistance and referral program. It will be constructed on property off Redoubt Avenue which is being donated by the City of Kenai. State and regional funds will be combined with funding provided by Frontier Services to complete financing for the project. Construction will begin in the spring of 2009 and take about a year to complete.
Frontier Community Services was founded over 25 years ago by the parents of children with disabilities. It provides assistance for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health services, counseling to rape victims, operates an early intervention program and a program for children with fetal alcohol syndrome. It also offers senior and other programs.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has invested more than $90 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .